Someone is behaving like the master of the feast, strolling about and showing off; otherwise, what would be the honor of the Shayar in the city?

This powerful couplet is a masterful piece of self-reflection and irony. Mirza Ghalib is essentially addressing his own status. He suggests that his reputation (Aabru) in the city is not based on his own merit, but rather on his association with power—being the companion of royalty. If that connection were to break, he implies, that his standing and dignity would vanish. It’s a poignant commentary on the fickle nature of fame and dependence on external validation.